The All-Time NBA Franchise Tournament is here! Each franchise’s 12 best players face off in a fantasy tournament for true NBA historians. Seeding is based on two factors: number of championships won (1st tiebreaker) and years of existence (2nd tiebreaker). A computer randomizer was used as a third tiebreaker. Comment below on your expected outcomes, and check in regularly for team profiles and matchup results.
All-Time NBA Franchise Tournament Rules
Updates every minute – View full tournament
Team Profiles
Atlanta Hawks
Boston Celtics
Brooklyn Nets
Charlotte Hornets
Chicago Bulls
Cleveland Cavaliers
Dallas Mavericks
Denver Nuggets
Detroit Pistons
Golden State Warriors
Houston Rockets
Indiana Pacers
Los Angeles Clippers
Los Angeles Lakers
Memphis Grizzlies
Miami Heat
Milwaukee Bucks
Minnesota Timberwolves
New Orleans Pelicans
New York Knicks
Oklahoma City Thunder
Orlando Magic
Philadelphia 76ers
Phoenix Suns
Portland Trail Blazers
Sacramento Kings
San Antonio Spurs
Toronto Raptors
Utah Jazz
Washington Wizards
All matchups are listed below
First Round Matches
(16) Oklahoma City Thunder vs. (17) Milwaukee Bucks
(8) Indiana Pacers vs. (25) Orlando Magic
(9) Miami Heat vs. (24) Utah Jazz
(4) San Antonio Spurs vs. (29) Memphis Grizzlies
(13) Sacramento Kings vs. (20) Denver Nuggets
(5) Golden State Warriors vs. (28) Toronto Raptors
(featuring a breakdown of the greatest scoring seasons in NBA history)
(12) Houston Rockets vs. (21) Phoenix Suns
(15) Washington Wizards vs. (18) Portland Trail Blazers
(7) Philadelphia 76ers vs. (26) Minnesota Timberwolves
(featuring a breakdown of the top 10 power forwards in NBA history)
(10) New York Knicks vs. (23) Cleveland Cavaliers
(3) Chicago Bulls vs. (30) New Orleans Pelicans
(14) Atlanta Hawks vs. (19) Dallas Mavericks
(6) Detroit Pistons vs. (27) Charlotte Hornets
(featuring a breakdown of the greatest rebounding seasons in NBA history)
(11) Brooklyn Nets vs. (22) Los Angeles Clippers
Sweet Sixteen
(1) Boston Celtics vs. (17) Milwaukee Bucks
(25) Orlando Magic vs. (9) Miami Heat
(4) San Antonio Spurs vs. (13) Sacramento Kings
(5) Golden State Warriors vs. (12) Houston Rockets
(2) Los Angeles Lakers vs. (18) Portland Trail Blazers
(7) Philadelphia 76ers vs. (10) New York Knicks
(3) Chicago Bulls vs. (14) Atlanta Hawks
(6) Detroit Pistons vs. (22) Los Angeles Clippers
(featuring a breakdown of the careers of Isiah Thomas and Chris Paul)
Elite Eight
(1) Boston Celtics vs. (9) Miami Heat
(4) San Antonio Spurs vs. (5) Golden State Warriors
(2) Los Angeles Lakers vs. (7) Philadelphia 76ers
(3) Chicago Bulls vs. (6) Detroit Pistons
Final Four
(1) Boston Celtics vs. (5) Golden State Warriors
(2) Los Angeles Lakers vs. (6) Detroit Pistons
Third Place Game
(5) Golden State Warriors vs. (6) Detroit Pistons
Championship Game
(1) Boston Celtics vs. (2) Los Angeles Lakers
I’ve been putting together similar all-time teams but I’ve been approaching it by using players’ individual seasons with each team, and a spreadsheet giving players a score based on their accomplishments. So for example, rather than just having Larry Bird starting at one of the forward spots for the Celtics, I have 85-86 Bird. By breaking down individual seasons, I’ve had some interesting lineups.
I’d love to check that out – where can we find that information?
Just stumbled on your site; excellent! I’m putting together a similar tournament for this winter, using CACTUS LEAGUE’s NBA game. Great simulation; you can edit everyone and set up rosters of your choice. In fact, you’ll have to edit, since their auto-coach will sub based on each player’s real stats (e.g. if you want a 35-minute man on the bench, you’ll have to reduce their time, and thus their other stats). It’s a text-based sim (scrolling script); no little players running around. But a lot of fun.
The Suns were robbed!